Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-31
Hat.TOuching in England.


i have said that hat-touching is an almost uni
versal custom in England and it is. Every one in
duges in 1t. But before / go further, lee me ex-
plain that IL is only people OF different grades of
society who touch their hats to each other 1t has
suddenly occurred TO me that this qualifying
statement is necessary for the edication OF those
who might otherwise think that gentlemen
touched their mats TO each other, tradesmen to
tradesmen, servants 20 servants, and so on. II
gentlemen do. as occasionally may be possible 1t
Is only as sort OF mere elaborate wave OF the
hand, or raising OF the walking stick handle when
passing each Other In walking, or elevation or
the whip when riding or driving. AT all events it
is not the kind OF hat-tou"hng mean, or am here
abiding TO. The hat-touching to which I refer Is
that which Is mutually lndulged in between su-
periors aud interiors. i dare say the time was
when, almost without exception, the interiors
touched their hats TO the Supporters, with a sincere
and honestly meant feeling Of respect I'm afraid
OF course, a mans own men-servants touch
their hats to him. II they didn't they would lose
their places. SO gentleman's servants must
touch their hats to their masters friends when
ever they speak TO them, or see them, and this
means when they pass them In the roads II Is
the sign OF a gentlemanS servants old-fashioned
people will tell you, for them to touch their hats
to his friends II they don't touch their hats 1t Is
preSumabie that their master and his friends are
not real quality" no matter how rich he may be
or how grandly he may live. He and they viii be
put down as shobs and nouveau riches Tho lack the
mellow tone OF the true gentry. All the laborers
on an estate and the villagers In country village
touch their hats to "tne gentry whenever they
meet. The women and girls OF a village stop and
courtesy In the roads TO gentlemen or ladies,
though this Is not near so common asst used TO be-
So the maids and wOmen-seryanuS always courtesy
to the master and mistress when they meet them
out. TradeSmen, by which are meant the butchers,
bakers, nshinongers, green-grocers and mikIlen
VIII whom gentleman deals, all touch their hats
10 him. TailOrs, diapers, uphOlsterers hOsers,
confectionery &c, are a cut above hat-toucning,
and raise their hats TO their customers there being
wide range in the matter OF servii1ty between
hat-rasing and hat-touching. To all this hat
touching there is attached an obligation upon the
person 10 whom the hat Is touched. He must
touch his hat In return. II he doesn't he Is not
gentleman l don't mean upon the broad ground
patent 10 every One-lack OF good manners-but
because IL Is the custom. Let me illustrates: I
saw the other day a wealthy tradesman, a draper
wno Is much richer than most Of the gentry vino
are his customers and man who would ordi-
narlly pass Tor gentleman with people who
dlunt know him. saw this man have labOring
man touch his hat 10 him, and he didn't touca his
hat back. Had he been gentleman he would have
done so. Oh course, ladies can't touch their hats
Their return salute Is slight inclination OF the
head-hardly bow-tO either hat-tOuching or
courtesy. Nor do ladies or gentlemen return the
obelsances Of their own servants, either in or out
OF doof s. perhaps when the servant IS
expected 10 touch his hat In return TO his groom
or footman when out with him on horseback or in
carriage, though both servants may touch their
hats to him every f1ve minutes. So when a cab
man 90 whom you pay more than his fare) touches
his hat TO you Qn consequence you are not to
Or porters who are acknowledging tips, or hotel
waters ditto. II, however, you. by any chance
met and saw either cabfnan, guard, porter or
waiter In the street or road afterward, and they
touched their hats TO you In {presumed respectful
recognition OF you, you must then return the
salute. hope make myself understood. II YOU
hadn't tipped pr overpaid them the chances are
you wouldn't be called upon TO do so. You may
also put II down pretty safe rule to 90 by that
II you particularly care to have the servants of
your friends never fail to touch their hats to you
you mustn't forget TO remember them now and
then In some way.
suppose you quarrel with friend or have TIL
that stops your speaking for a time. Don't you
think his servants will give up touching their ITS
to you when they see you, II they can manage ft9
SO Will yours stop touching their hats to him You
are therefore quits But IL Is pitful in its petti-
1t. To people who reflect at all it Is living in
FOOLS paraflSe-if one can tit the expression to
such a condition OF thingS-gOing on exacting
accepting, and liking homage that means no more
than the fear Of consequences, OF the hope OF ghn
In those who yield it, and imagining that &c means
respect.
lido not mean to say that there are not plenty of
cases where hat-touching means what It is sup
posed to mean, and ought to mean But who win
dare say they are not In the minority? OF course
every man, gentleman or not should touch his
hat, II not actually raise IL, TO bishop or other
clergyman, particularly II he be Of advanced years
This Is OF course, chiefly out OF reg ard for the cali
Ing though the man may be also entitled to special
respect. Every one hits mis- hat and remains I'm
covered In the presence OF the queen or a member
OF the royal family. With most people this means
only when she, or they, drive past In the street.
She and they. on such occasions, always bow In
every man present takes OF his hat and keeps IL
OF I'LL the band stops. This Is whether the queen
or members OF the royal family be present or not
But, as when no royalty is present, ''God save the
Queen" consists only OF tine first few bars OF the
ar, people don't have time to catch cold in their
heads.